Simulated Game Shooting: The Ultimate Off-Season Practice

Simulated game shooting has gained immense popularity among shooting enthusiasts, gamekeepers, and shooting estates. It provides a realistic alternative to live game shooting, allowing participants to practise their aim, refine their skills, and enjoy the thrill of driven game shooting – all year round.

What is Simulated Game Shooting?

Simulated game shooting involves clay targets that replicate the flight patterns of real game birds such as pheasants, partridges, and grouse. These clay targets are launched at varying speeds and angles to mimic natural bird flight, providing a challenging yet enjoyable experience.

Unlike traditional clay pigeon shooting, simulated game shooting focuses on the unpredictability of wild bird movements, making it a much closer alternative to real game shooting. It is an excellent way for shooting enthusiasts to maintain their skills during the closed season while also serving as a thrilling corporate activity or group event.

The Benefits of Simulated Game Shooting

1. Year-Round Availability

One of the key benefits of simulated game shooting is that it is not restricted by hunting seasons. Whether it’s summer or winter, simulated game events provide a perfect opportunity to keep up shooting practice.

2. Realistic Experience

Modern simulated game equipment, like those developed by Promatic, offers a remarkably close experience to real game shooting. With clay targets travelling at speeds exceeding 100 mph, shooters can fine-tune their accuracy and reaction time.

3. Sustainable and Ethical

Unlike live game shooting, simulated game shooting does not involve killing live animals. This makes it an ethical alternative for those who love the sport but prefer a non-lethal version.

4. Ideal for Training

Simulated game days are an excellent training ground for novice shooters and seasoned professionals alike. It helps develop hand-eye coordination, shooting stance, and accuracy before the official game season starts.

5. Perfect for Corporate and Social Events

Shooting estates worldwide are now hosting simulated game days as corporate entertainment events, private gatherings, and charity fundraisers. The format allows groups to enjoy the competitive and social aspects of shooting in a safe and controlled environment.

Simulated Game Equipment: The Promatic Advantage

Promatic, established in 2004, has been at the forefront of simulated game equipment manufacturing. Used and trusted in over 100 countries, their machines have revolutionised simulated game shooting, making it more accessible, reliable, and exciting.

Their Peregrine range includes a variety of manual and automated clay launchers, offering features such as:

• Clay speeds exceeding 100 mph
• Motorised side-to-side movements to simulate real bird flight
• Multiple elevation and tilt adjustments for realistic shooting angles
• Heavy-duty, off-road trailers for mobility across estates
• Battery-operated charging systems for uninterrupted shooting sessions

Promatic's dedication to quality has made them the go-to brand for shooting estates and enthusiasts worldwide. Their traps are meticulously engineered in the UK, ensuring precision, durability, and high performance.

How to Get Started with Simulated Game Shooting

1. Choose a shooting ground or estate that offers simulated game shooting. Many estates in the UK now provide this service.
2. Get the right equipment. Promatic's simulated game traps ensure a truly realistic experience.
3. Familiarise yourself with the rules and safety measures. Even though it's simulated, gun safety is paramount.
4. Practise different shooting positions to adapt to changing target angles.
5. Enjoy the experience! Whether you're training for the season or just having fun, simulated game shooting is an exhilarating sport.

FAQs on Simulated Game Shooting

1. What is the difference between simulated game shooting and clay pigeon shooting?

Simulated game shooting and clay pigeon shooting are both popular forms of shooting sports, but they differ significantly in their structure, purpose, and experience.

Clay pigeon shooting is a structured and competitive sport where clay targets (or “pigeons”) are launched from fixed traps in predictable directions. The discipline includes various formats such as sporting clays, skeet, and trap shooting, each with its own set of rules. These shooting styles are often practised at dedicated clay shooting grounds and competitions, helping shooters refine their technique in a controlled environment.

In contrast, simulated game shooting is designed to replicate the unpredictability of real driven game shooting. The clay targets are thrown in random patterns and at different speeds to imitate pheasants, partridges, grouse, ducks, and other wild birds. The aim is to create an experience that closely resembles a real day’s game shooting, making it an ideal practice method for game shooters outside of the hunting season.

Another key difference is the social aspect. While clay pigeon shooting can be competitive, simulated game shooting is often organised as a group activity, similar to an actual game shoot. Estates and shooting grounds that host simulated game days frequently use high-quality automatic traps, such as those from Promatic, to create a more authentic experience.

Simulated game shooting is also seen as a more ethical alternative to live game shooting, as no birds are harmed. It is particularly appealing to those who enjoy shooting sports but prefer not to engage in live hunting.

2. How fast do the clays travel in simulated game shooting?

The speed of clays in simulated game shooting is designed to replicate the real movement of game birds, making it a challenging and immersive experience. Depending on the machine used, clays can travel at speeds exceeding 100 mph, providing a highly realistic representation of driven game.

For example, Promatic’s Peregrine range of simulated game traps is engineered to launch clays at speeds that mimic high-flying pheasants or fast-moving grouse, ensuring that shooters experience a variety of challenging flight paths. These machines are fitted with adjustable settings, allowing operators to change the angle, speed, and trajectory of the clays to suit different skill levels and shooting conditions.

The speed of the clays plays a crucial role in training and skill development. Faster clays require quicker reactions, better accuracy, and proper lead calculation. This helps game shooters sharpen their instincts before the actual game season begins.

Additionally, weather conditions and terrain can impact the perceived speed of the clays. For example, a clay flying against a strong wind may appear to move slower, while a tailwind can increase its effective speed. Tilt adjustments and wind-resistant mechanisms are features found in Promatic’s simulated game traps, helping create a realistic and adaptable shooting environment.

Ultimately, the high-speed nature of simulated game shooting adds to the excitement, making it an excellent alternative for game shooters looking to maintain their skills throughout the year.

3. What equipment do I need for simulated game shooting?

To participate in simulated game shooting, you will need the appropriate equipment to ensure safety, accuracy, and an enjoyable experience. While some shooting estates and clubs provide equipment rental, many shooters prefer to bring their own gear for a more personalised setup.

The most essential item is a shotgun. Most simulated game shooters use 12-bore or 20-bore shotguns, as these are versatile, widely available, and suited to high-speed clays. The choice of shotgun depends on personal preference, recoil management, and shooting experience.

Ammunition is another crucial component. Fibre wad cartridges are often preferred, particularly on estates where environmental considerations come into play. The shot size and load should be appropriate for clay targets, ensuring sufficient spread and impact without excessive recoil.

Safety is paramount, so eye and ear protection are mandatory. Shooting glasses protect against clay fragments, while ear defenders or earplugs prevent hearing damage from repeated gunfire.

Comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing is also recommended. Many shooters opt for traditional shooting attire, including a shooting vest, jacket, and cap, but practical outdoor wear is sufficient.

By using high-quality equipment, such as Promatic’s simulated game traps, shooters can ensure a challenging yet safe shooting experience.

4. Is simulated game shooting suitable for beginners?

Yes, simulated game shooting is an excellent option for beginners who want to learn shooting techniques, improve their accuracy, and gain confidence in a realistic yet controlled environment. Unlike traditional clay pigeon shooting, which follows predictable target paths, simulated game shooting introduces varied and dynamic target movements, helping beginners develop adaptability and quick reflexes.

One of the main advantages of simulated game shooting for beginners is the opportunity to practise in a relaxed setting without the pressures of a formal competition or the ethical concerns of live game hunting. Many shooting estates offer coaching sessions, where experienced instructors guide new shooters on proper stance, gun handling, and aiming techniques.

Using high-quality simulated game equipment, such as Promatic’s Peregrine range, beginners can experience authentic target flight patterns without the unpredictability of real bird hunting. These machines allow instructors to adjust the difficulty level, ensuring that newcomers can progress at their own pace.

Additionally, simulated game shooting teaches gun safety protocols, making it a valuable introduction to the sport. Beginners can learn how to handle firearms responsibly while building essential skills that will benefit them in both clay and live game shooting.

5. Can simulated game shooting be used for corporate events?

Yes, simulated game shooting is one of the most popular activities for corporate team-building events. Many companies use it for networking, executive retreats, and client entertainment. Unlike traditional clay pigeon shooting, simulated game shooting offers a more dynamic and interactive experience, making it ideal for group participation.

A typical corporate simulated game event is hosted at a shooting estate and includes:

• A briefing session on gun safety and shooting techniques

• A series of simulated drives, where teams take turns shooting clays

• Competitions and scoring to add a competitive edge

• Catering and hospitality to enhance the experience

One of the key benefits of simulated game shooting for corporate events is its inclusive nature. Participants do not need prior shooting experience, as professional instructors provide guidance and supervision. This makes it accessible to all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced shooters.

Shooting estates equipped with Promatic’s high-performance simulated game traps can offer a seamless and immersive experience. These machines ensure that clays are launched with precision, variety, and reliability, creating an event that is both exciting and professionally managed.

Simulated game shooting encourages teamwork, camaraderie, and healthy competition, making it a memorable and valuable activity for corporate groups. Many businesses return year after year for bespoke shooting experiences that strengthen relationships and provide a unique and enjoyable break from the office environment.